CD REVIEW: MOSCOW NOIR – Moscow Noir

Label: Aurealis Records / Tutone Entertainment

Release Date: July 29, 2016

Rating: 8/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

As so it begins… another new disc from a band I have yet to know about.  This EP from Canadian artist Moscow Noir kicks off with the ethereal intro track “Odisea” and it sets the pace for the record in that we can expect a lot of keyboard and synthesizer music.  “Fault Lines” starts up next and this song features a heavy handed drum sound that helps add a rock punch to the loftier sounds of the keyboards and vocals.  This track is a definite extension of the opening piece.  “Night Rider” has a different feel to it than most of the other tracks – this one sounds as if it were delivered straight out of the electronic 80’s.  The vocals are creatively layered at the chorus and give the song a bit of depth.  “Control” picks up where the last track left off with an 80’s driven sound and a beat that has a modern twist and feel underneath.  The vocals are breathy and drive the vibe of the track.

“Stars” opens with more synthesizers, but this song brings more of a dance beat to the table.  The vocal is well suited to the musical track and comes off a bit darker than some of the other tracks thanks to a heavier groove in the music.  “Changes” is one of my favorite tracks on the collection thanks to a varied vocal that shows off some range and offsets the constant and steady groove of the musical track underneath.  The vocals make this track and help it standout against the other tracks.  Disc closer “Constellations” winds things down with another track that seems to change the direction of the disc, with more upbeat rhythms and grooves set against a higher range and pitched vocal, giving this song less of a dark or heavy feel.  Not sure this will hit my regular rotation, but it is definitely a nice change of pace if you are ever looking to switch up your normal listening routine.

Tracklisting: Odisea – Fault Lines – Stars – Night Rider – Control – Changes – Constellations

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Category: CD Reviews